DJ Loonyo apologizes for ‘mass testing’ gaffe

DJ Loonyo has apologized over an erroneous remark he made about mass testing during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The internet star, who gained popularity through dance videos, became the No. 1 Twitter trend on Wednesday as thousands of netizens retweeted a clip from a livestream where Loonyo shared what he knew about “mass testing.”

“I just don’t know it’s like, it’s like, gagana ba tong bagay na to sa ganitong ano, diba? These, I don’t know kung anong gagamitin nila sa mass testing, pero kung ano man ang ipapainom nila o ipapagawa nila, it’s a trial and error, that’s why it’s mass testing,” DJ Loonyo said.

The dancer continued to express his disapproval by saying that “mass testing” should not be “mandatory” and that it would be pitiful for those who would have to “drink” or “take” it.

“Kaya kawawa ’yung, ano, kawawa ’yung magi-intake, kawawa ’yung mag-u-undergo doon kasi it’s not a hundred percent proven,” Loonyo said.

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— DJ LOONYO (REAL) (@DJLOONYO2) June 3, 2020

“It shouldn’t be mandatory, it should be encouraged. Depende na sa’yo kung gusto mong i-test ’yung sarili mo o gusto mong paniwalaan ’yung, ano, nila. But for me, why would you test me? I’m a human being? I will react kung ano ’yung ipapainom mo sa’kin. Pa’no kung ’yung pagpapainom mo sakin, magrereact ng medyo malala ’yung katawan ko? So I am dead. ’Di ba? So ’di ako naniniwala sa mass testing na yan,” he added.

Several netizens hit Loonyo for supposedly spreading disinformation.

Clinical trials

The internet celebrity later posted an apology on Twitter, saying he mistakenly used the wrong terms. He said he meant “clinical trials” and not “mass testing.”

“I understand that the use of my terminology is critical, so I apologize for any confusion caused,” he said.

“Sa mga nagsabi po na mag-aral kami o mag-research, rest assured we have been doing that, kaya nga nandun kami sa punto na bukas ang isipan namin and we want to also be vigilant and see different sides of the picture para makabuo kami ng informed decision,” the DJ added.

However, he did not correct his earlier claims on what mass testing entailed.

What is mass testing?

For context, “mass testing” in recent news refers to an escalation of diagnostic testing in a country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are at least two known types of tests for Covid-19: the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, which is done through a throat or nasal swab; and the rapid antibody test, which draws blood from patients to check for antibodies.

Experts have advised the Philippine government to conduct mass testing before relaxing COVID-19 measures in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), including Metro Manila which shifted to a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1.

The latest data from the Department of Health says 18,638 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the country, a total of 960 of which have died. – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News

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